The 1st of these films that came after the alleged 'final' entry, so that makes it even odder saying that it's easily the best of them. Normally that would be faint praise for these bland and hokey films, but this entry is ironically a 'true' slice of smart and creative horror. Many of the characters have dimension for the death sequences to mean something emotionally and for a thematic purpose: self-actualization.

You know death is coming in this franchise, and it’s a whole lot of fun. Death doesn’t discriminate, and I find it incredibly uplifting to see teens of all sexes die left and right, in intricate ways. Other than that, there’s nothing going for this film but stupidity. But I like this!

Apart from a couple of great moments, I really wish this had the sense of fun and the immediacy of the franchise's earlier instalments. I'd heard tell of a return to form, but more of the same will have to do.

If i were a man living in the jungle and then some townspeople do some experimental test showing me a complete viewing of this franchise randomly (Without telling which is the first which is sequel), i'd pick this as my favorite of all five.